Punjab's Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today exhorted all the political parties to avoid politics over the sensitive issue of Punjabis trapped in Iraqi civil war as the Government of India (GoI) was already making concerted efforts to ensure their prompt and safe return.

Interacting with the
media persons here on the sidelines of his Sangat Darshan program of
Lambi assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that rather than
indulging in politics over this sensitive issue, all the political
parties should join their hands and extend wholehearted support to
the Union government in its efforts to rescue the Punjabis trapped in
Iraq.

In
Focus

He said that the Centre
was using all the diplomatic channels to ensure the safe and
immediate return of Punjabis back to their motherland. Badal said
that the state government was constantly in touch with the Union
government over this issue adding that no stone would be left
unturned to ensure the safe return of Punjabis from strife torn Iraq

The Chief Minister
further said that the Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
has been regularly updating him about the latest development in Iraq
and the steps taken by the GoI to safely evacuate the people trapped
in Iraq. Likewise, he said that the Union government has assured him
that it would make sure that every Indian returns back to his home
safely irrespective of the fact that whether he possesses the
relevant immigration documents or not.

Earlier addressing the public gatherings during the
Sangat Darshan in Dhanni Teliaan wali, Kandu Khera, Bhullar wala,
Haakuwala, Fatta Khera and Warring Khera villages, the Chief Minister
called upon the Youth Clubs and Panchayats of the villages to extend
fulsome support and cooperation to the state government in making
Punjab a drug free state. Badal said that the state government would
be able to accomplish its goal only with the active involvement of
the general public in this crusade. He also apprised the people about
the various initiatives taken by the state government to eradicate
the menace of drugs from the state.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister profusely
thanked the people for supporting Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur
Badal in the recently concluded General elections. The Chief Minister
also visited the Civil Hospital Sri Muktsar Sahib and reviewed the
arrangements for setting up drug de-addiction center in it.